Current federal mandates regarding the provision of transition services to students with disabilities have heightened the awareness of professionals regarding students' future outcomes. Families are an integral part of the transition planning process. Yet, little is known about parents' expectations for their adolescent children. The purpose of this study was to identify the expectations mothers have for their adolescent children in the areas of future living arrangements, employment | education goals, and social relationships. The researchers also wanted to know if there were differences in the expectations of mothers of adolescents with severe disabilities and mothers of non-labeled adolescents. Forty mothers were interviewed and the data was analyzed using qualitative methodology. Findings show that both groups of mothers had similar expectations for their children, that is, independence. Mothers of adolescents with disabilities, however, did report the need of their children for support in order to achieve independence from their families. Implications and issues related to mothers' responses are discussed.
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